(DCWatchdog.com) – Democrat New York City Mayor Eric Adams is under criminal investigation as a federal grand jury has started reviewing evidence over allegations of corruption.
The Southern District of New York is investigating claims that Adams’ campaign received illegal contributions from the Turkish government, possibly in exchange for favors from Adams, who has close ties with Turkey.
The New York Daily News reported, “In the past three weeks at least one person connected to the mayor has received a federal subpoena from the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office with specific instructions prohibiting the recipient from speaking publicly about its contents”
Last fall, federal authorities raided the homes of Adams campaign fundraisers, a City Hall staffer, a transition team member, and a former Turkish Airlines executive.
Moreover, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) approached Adams last fall and had to hand over his cell phones and iPad, which were returned several days later.
The probe was focused on “free upgrades the mayor received on Turkish Airlines flights.”
It was also reported that after winning the Democratic mayoral primary in the summer of 2021, Adams allegedly pushed then-Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro to let the Turkish government temporarily use a new high-rise consulate in Manhattan.
In addition, fire officials had safety concerns about the building, but Adams’ alleged intervention “paved the way” for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to open the 35-story tower in September 2021. The $300 million building is the country’s most expensive foreign mission project.
When asked about the investigation, Adams claimed he had “no idea” what was happening.
“I don’t know, I’m not a lawyer. I’m Eric Adams — the mayor! Ex-cop!” he said. “No idea. No idea. No idea.”
“They don’t tell me stuff. Let it follow the process … Speak to the counsel,” he later added. “The counsel will explain to you the normal process.”
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